Where to begin? Fulham’s unbeaten record is no more after Marco Silva’s side were humbled at the seaside today as Blackpool battled to their first league win of the season. The Tangerines thoroughly deserved their victory this afternoon – they were clearly the better side on the day and there was a worrying lack of intensity, flair and desire from a Fulham side who looked very flat after the international break.

After the euphoria of four straight wins, it is easy to forget that Fulham’s Championship campaign actually began with an underwhelming draw against Middlesbrough when Silva’s side appeared to take their foot on the pedal and allow their opponents back into a game that should have been beyond them. Fulham were similarly sloppy this afternoon – giving the ball away carelessly and seemingly surprised by the unrelenting nature of Blackpool’s high press and their energy both in and out of possession.

Silva has spoken throughout his time in charge about the need to maintain the high standards he has set for his squad. They certainly slipped this afternoon – and this defeat should serve as a timely reminder that nothing is won in the early weeks of the season. It may be too early to offer a take on this Fulham squad, but we are looking more and more like vintage Fulham.

Silva has made this team more alive than in the any of the past three seasons. The new manager is hungry to prove that he can still crack English football and he has certainly made life down by the River Thames enjoyable again. There can be no doubt about the fact that he has been the driver of the club’s transfer strategy, having brought in several signings over the course of the summer. The acquisitions of Wilson and Gazzaniga came quickly after Silva’s appointment and he was the pivotal factor in the purchase of Rodrigo Muniz. Similarly, he has held a longstanding interest in Nathaniel Chalobah since his time at Watford. Perhaps the only thing he didn’t get in the transfer window was a new right back after Kenny Tete’s injury. I might be one of the few Fulham fans who considers such a signing a priority as I sadly believe that Denis Odoi is well past his peak as a full back.

Gazzaniga hasn’t had much to do in the games I’ve seen this season but he doesn’t look too confident when the crosses come in. You’d have to think that Championship clubs will test him out under the high ball the longer the season goes on. The Argentine will be disappointed to have let Josh Bowler’s winner go through him at the near post this afternoon – and you can make an argument for him probably needing to do better for several of the goals Fulham have conceded this season. I would have liked to have seen Marek Rodak return between the sticks, especially after how impressively he performed the last time we were at this level, but either keeper is fine for me.

The surprise central midfield combination of Jean-Michael Seri and Josh Onomah has been one of the most unremarked parts of Silva’s summer evolution. Today was probably the first game where that partnership didn’t really do enough. Onomah came close with a couple of shots, but Seri gave the ball away in dangerous area far too regularly – one of which led to the Blackpool winner. You can’t question Seri’s commitment to date and, even if I might still quibble about certain technical elements of Onomah’s game, it would be churlish to deny that he’s had an impressive start to the season.

Blackpool handled Mitrovic well today, isolating him from his team-mates for much of the contest, but I would suggest that was easier in the absence of Carvalho and Wilson. Muniz looks like a good addition to the side – he linked up well with Mitrovic in his cameo today – and created more in ten minutes than the team had managed in the previous eighty. I feel like Wilson will be a regular source of goals and assists, as will the lively Bobby Decordova-Reid.

We shouldn’t get too down about a defeat to an unfancied side. Such is the unpredictability of the Championship – I’m sure there will be more of these results before the season is out. The Whites are still well placed after the first four weeks of the season and, mostly importantly, Silva has brought the enjoyment back to watching Fulham. Improvements will be necessary and he will demand them. I can’t wait to get back to watching the Whites at Craven Cottage.